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| Straight Life | 
 enlarge | List Price: $6.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 11096
Category: Music
Artist: Freddie Hubbard
Publisher: Sbme Special Mkts.
Studio: Sbme Special Mkts.
Manufacturer: Sbme Special Mkts.
Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
Format: Limited Edition
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 724268
UPC: 886972426822
EAN: 0886972426822
ASIN: B0012GMYWS
Release Date: March 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Straight Life | | • | Mr. Clean | | • | Here's That Rainy Day |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Oh good grief! Can I get a melody? February 22, 2009
Customers searching the reviews here should take seriously the descriptions of other reviewers: "slammin'," "one-chord jamming," "blow out," etc. The musicians are great. I like all of them in other contexts. The two main numbers on Straight Life are relatively long jams -- a little bit of theme and then Hubbard's horn, Benson's guitar, Herbie's electric piano, and sax take their extended turns riffing. Nothing wrong with that. While the solos had a lot of energy, they didn't seem particularly inspired or innovative, personally. I can appreciate an energetic blow out, within reason: Michael Brecker's screeching sax on Dry Cleaner From Des Moines (on Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light live set) is absolutely classic and I would say inspired. But mostly, I like some melody with my jazz energy. Maynard Ferguson's more accessible work, for instance.
If these are your sensibilities, too, then you might find this album a little tedious, except for the lyrical final cut, where Hubbard solos and George Benson quietly accompanies on the beautiful and relaxed Here's That Rainy Day.
The recording -- strictly with respect to sound quality -- is typical CTI. Close-miked instruments, not a lot of ambience from the recording venue. It sounds like a Rudy Van Gelder deal to me. No complaints really on that count.
I haven't heard a great deal of Freddie Hubbard's music. Actually, he's a recent discovery for me. I can say that I didn't like this album as much as some of his others. That's too bad. He had such a group of great band-mates here.
 Hubbard Soars December 4, 2008
When reading the tracklist, don't mistake the Freddie Hubbard composition Straight Life for the schlocky Bobby Goldsboro tune of the same name. For although many jazz artists of the this era often covered contemporary pop tunes in order to attract fans unaccustomed to jazz, on this CD Hubbard managed to avoid the temptation.
To me, there are only two great cuts here and fortunately they comprise more than three-fourths of the run time. I like the title cut that begins melodically then blasts off into a tasty 17-minute festival of improvisational jazz. I also enjoy the slightly shorter and stratospherically soaring Mr Clean. The final cut, Here's That Rainy Day is pleasant but completely out of place with the spirit of the album.
Hubbard is ably backed on Straight Life by an all-star cast from Creed Taylor's stable including Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and George Benson. The CD comes housed in a tri-fold digipak that features all pertinent album information and related commentary. Straight Life is relatively short but the price is right.
 a classic gem ! July 10, 2008
i cant agree w any who say this is not in the same class as red clay--- this jazz fusion funk whatever u want to call it-- if miles invented/perfected it which he may have - he is a jazz god ! then hubbard and this gang all miles alumnae---jumped in and had some crazy fun which is so evident on this 1970 date----freddie unloads here right from the start---and joe henderson catches the fire too and he blazes like never b4 here----by hubbards second solo on the first tune- he settles into more of a groove and w the rest of this amazing roster of players its quite a thrilling bubbling mix----a dizzying and divine madness percolates herein ! for me this is a classic gem-and the best in this genre of its era--tho miles was still going strong at this time--- i think agharta was still to come-- and to me that was miles' swan song-- his last incredible session----but here w hubbard---a similar grooove of hearty proportions !!! a real groovathon !!! just check out the roster of players on this-benson carter hancock dejohnette etc ! the best !!!!!
Fantastic sound January 19, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is really great jazz fusion. The horn in the lead song is exceptional and takes a lot of skill. It's very unusual.
While not traditional jazz, it is the popular fusion. This is a very good album with three very exceptional tracks.
This is an electrifying classic that was recorded in 1970. The album shows that those wonderful early years of fusion were the best by far. Jazz musicians started combining rock and funk into this really cool and unique sound. This is Freddie Hubbard's best post-'60s recording in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
Straight Up Great August 17, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Straight Life may well be Freddie Hubbard's best album. Though only containing three tracks, the album packs a powerful punch. It is jazz-rock fusion at its best. Mr. Hubbard assembled a who's who of jazz musicians from this time period including Joe Henderson on saxophone, George Benson on guitar, Herbie Hancock on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. The title track is built on a Latin beat and features an insane intro by Mr. Hubbard. Mr. DeJohnette provides a fierce foundation that the other musicians climb on top of and fire off. "Mr. Clean" shifts into funk with some fat and chunky riffing. Mr. Henderson throws off some hefty passages and Mr. Hancock shines on a great solo. The final track "Here's That Rainy Day" brings the album into ballad territory, but it is saved by some impressive guitar and bass work by Mr. Benson and Mr. Carter respectively.
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